Information Technology Services

About

The Information Technology Services (ITS) department is a centralized service organization
dedicated to providing information technology leadership, support staff, training,
policies and procedures related to technology, strategies for the effective deployment
and utilization of information technology, and assisting Cañada College, the College
of San Mateo, and Skyline College, as directed, with local technology initiatives,
projects, and planning.

ITS provides information technology leadership, has highly qualified support staff,
conducts technology training, develops policies and procedures related to information
technology, creates strategies for the effective deployment and utilization of information
technology, and assists the three colleges within the District, as directed, supporting
their mission, advancing college values, goals, vision and improving institutional
effectiveness.

All ITS personnel including those providing desktop support to the Colleges are centrally
managed and supervised. This allows ITS to allocate its resources to each College
as necessary based on need or based on requirements for specialized knowledge or skills.
This also helps the Colleges to seamlessly share technology solutions and best practices
to leverage savings and efficiency.

ITS and the Colleges collaborate district-wide, and one-on-one, on decision-making
processes and set priorities related to technology. ITS staff participates regularly
in various College committees to discuss operational issues and developing project
plans for a variety of topics which include technology needs in support of teaching
and learning, district-wide communications, research, and other operational systems.

Examples of these committees include:

Chancellor’s Council

District Research Council (DRC)

Enrollment Services Committee (ESC)

Business and Finance Officers Group (BAFOG)

Financial Aid Advisory Committee (FACC)

Distance Education Advisory Committee (DEAC)

Facilities Planning and Operations (FPO)

District Safety and Security Committee

District Matriculation Committee

Network Advisory Group

Technology Planning Committee (TPC)

Vision, Mission & Goals

In 2008, the following information technology vision and mission statements were developed.
These have been validated as part of the effort to revise this plan and remain appropriate.
Each year this plan will be reviewed and evaluated based on what has been completed,
changes in the evolution of technology, and what resources might be available in the
future. Due to the dynamic nature of planning, each year the vision and mission statement
will be reassessed.

Vision

The San Mateo County Community District is committed to the effective and responsible
use of information technology resources to:

Enhance and support the teaching and learning environment

Provide easy access to learning resources and support services

Facilitate communication throughout the District

Improve institutional effectiveness by maximizing resources, improving services, and
supporting those learning activities that are enhanced through technology

Improve operational effectiveness and efficiency

Serve our diverse teaching and learning communities

Mission

The mission statement describes the purpose of technology use within SMCCCD, guides
the actions of ITS, and provides a framework and context for current and future strategies
and goals.

Mission Statement

To provide a responsive and supportive information technology environment that is
consistent with the mission of the Colleges and the District Office. Information
Technology Services (ITS) provides all services and support in a manner that is focused
on customer service and satisfaction.

Based on a set of planning assumptions, goals can be developed to meet the current
and future technology needs of SMCCCD. Goals are strategic level objectives that
are intended to achieve the technology vision, support the technology mission, and
ensure that there is alignment with AACJC Standard III. The goals are numbered for
reference purposes only and are used when aligning projects to meet one or more of
the goals. They are all of equal importance and intended to be viewed equally.

These goals are the same as the ones contained in the IT Plan from 2008. They have
been validated as still being relevant to the current environment.

Goals

Continue to enhance and improve the capabilities and functionality of the administrative
information systems environment to better serve faculty, staff and students

Enhance the capabilities and support for the use of instructional technology for teaching
and learning

Continue to improve the information technology infrastructure to provide reliable
and high-performance access to network and online services

Maintain an effective and responsive organizational structure to support administrative
information systems and instructional technology

Provide technology leadership for the many college construction projects currently
in progress or planned for the future

Research and present to the District new technologies that have the potential to improve
teaching and learning or enhance administrative functions.

Collaborate with the Administration of the District and the Colleges to develop and
implement a technology replacement strategy for servers, computers, printers, copiers,
digital signage, network infrastructure, and so on.

Current Technology Environment

A first step for the development of a Strategic Plan for Information Technology is
to determine the status of the current technology environment. This information is
the foundation for planning assumptions from which strategic objectives can be identified.
The following description has been updated and properly reflects the technology environment
at SMCCCD.

ITS provides technology assistance and support in a number of areas: Administrative
Systems, Network Services, the Peninsula Library System, Web Services, Computer and
Media Support, and Help Desk. ITS offers a broad array of services to the District
and its constituencies in support of its overall mission and its commitment to meeting
Accreditation Standard III. Below, is a description of the current services provided
by ITS.